Extra Police Patrols To Tackle Drink-Fuelled Crimes

Friday, 16 December 2022 07:53

More than 500 checks have been carried out on bars in Guernsey over the past month as part of a police crackdown on drink-fuelled offences.

Guernsey Police say Operation Ultraviolet is tackling alcohol-related offences, which have increased this year.

Dogs have been used on these high-visibility patrols, to sniff out the possible use of drugs.

Officers have also been checking that bar owners are operating to the terms of their licence.

Undercover plain-clothed police are being placed in town bars and clubs to watch for drink-spiking, sexual assaults and groping, and general public disorder.

The operation also includes the increased drink drive checks at this time of year.

Acting Chief Inspector, Operations, Liam Johnson says with Christmas comes a rise in people drinking too much:

"We are of course not here to stop people enjoying themselves, but we always record more interactions between the public and our officers at this time of year – as people drink more, they are more likely to put themselves or others at risk.

This Operation is seeking to ensure that people in our community can go on a night out without fear or worry of what someone else might do to them.

We are very aware that there has been an increased concern about drink spiking in recent months. While there is no forensic evidence of systemic drink spiking occurring in the Bailiwick, that does not mean it is not happening and the operation has allowed us to put a focus on this area.”